Chimney Care Company's Blog
Chimney inspections for real estate
Summer is the home-buying season. For homebuyers, fireplaces are among the most sought-after amenities. A fireplace certainly adds warmth, comfort, and beauty to your home. However, if you are buying a home with a fireplace, there are a few things you need to beware of. A real estate chimney inspection should be part of your home-buying process, and there is a good reason for this. At Chimney Care Co, we offer this service to homebuyers to ensure you have a smooth home buying process.
How do chimney inspections fit in with home inspections?
Every homebuyer knows the importance of having a home inspection before they close the home to identify any safety issues or potential problems with the new home. While home inspectors are thorough, their inspections don’t include an in-depth look at fireplaces and chimney. They may ignite a gas fireplace and open and close a damper to see if they are functional, but they won’t perform an overall inspection to ensure that the fireplace and chimney are safe for use. That’s why it is recommended to have your chimneys and fireplaces inspected by certified chimney technicians as part of real estate transactions.
What does a real estate chimney entail?
For real estate transactions, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends having chimneys undergo a Level 2 chimney inspection. During a Level 2 chimney inspection, the chimney technician will inspect all visible portions of the chimney from above and below. They will inspect all accessible portions of the chimney by visiting crawl spaces and attic spaces and by removing any access panels to allow for a view of the chimney.
Finally, the chimney technician will insert a specialized closed-circuit camera up the chimney to inspect the health of the chimney liner and all chimney joints to ensure that the chimney is safe for use. Your chimney technician will inspect all seals and working components of your fireplace so you are sure that your new fireplace is safe and efficient to heat your new home.
Who can you call for a real estate chimney inspection?
When you are buying a new home, it’s important to have your fireplace and chimney inspected by a chimney sweep who is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. In and around the greater Cincinnati area, homebuyers can turn to the Chimney Care Co. for their real estate chimney inspections!
The Chimney Care Co. is CSIA certified to provide comprehensive chimney inspections to assure you of the safety of your new fireplace. A real estate chimney inspection from our team will include photos and videos and a complete written report noting any defects or problems of the chimney and fireplace. We also include recommendations for repairs for your fireplace and chimney so it can safely heat your home.
If you are buying a new home in southwestern Ohio or northeastern Kentucky — Congratulations! If your new home has a chimney, be sure to schedule your Level 2 chimney inspection with the Chimney Care Co. so you can be confident that the fireplace and chimney in your new home are up to par. Call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule your Level 2 chimney inspection today!
We also offer chimney inspections for real estate!
Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! For many home buyers, their dream home includes a fireplace. When your new home include a fireplace or a hearth appliance, a chimney inspection is a must. If your new home has a fireplace or heating stove, the Chimney Care Co. is here to help — We offer chimney inspections for real estate!
Why you need a real estate chimney inspection
A typical home inspection is part of every real estate transaction. You’re wondering why an additional chimney inspection is necessary. While your home inspector will take a glance at the fireplace and chimney for obvious deterioration. They aren’t trained to identify anything more than superficial problems.
A certified chimney inspector knows what to look for in a chimney and fireplace such as hidden dangers and problems. Having your chimney inspected by someone who knows chimneys will give you peace of mind. This allows you to address any potential problems during your home-buying transaction. It also saves you from endangering your new home with potential fire hazards.
What a real estate chimney inspection involves
When real estate changes hands, the Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends a Level 2 chimney inspection. A Level 2 chimney inspection involves a visual inspection of all accessible portions of the chimney. Your chimney sweep will access your chimney from your rooftop and firebox, and they will enter any attic, crawl spaces or utility rooms.
A Level 2 inspection also includes a video chimney inspection. This involves inserting a specialized, closed-circuit video camera up the flue of your chimney to look for signs of water damage, fire damage or other damages. Once inspection is complete, it should verify that your chimney is free of damage or deterioration, the fireplace or heating stove is operating efficiently, and the fireplace and chimney were installed properly and according to code.
Why your gas fireplace needs an inspection, too
Gas fireplaces have become the most popular option in the United States. While they might not have as many complications as traditional wood-burning fireplaces, a gas fireplace still needs a cleaning and real estate inspection, too. Gas fireplaces can malfunction, logs can deteriorate, and debris can clog burners and vents. As with other type of chimney inspection, a real estate inspection of gas fireplace ensure that it was properly installed, is fully functional and safe and efficient to use when you move into your new home.
If you’re purchasing a new home, let our team at Chimney Care Co. be the first to say congratulations! If your new home includes a fireplace, heating stove or chimney, call us to schedule your real estate chimney inspection today at 513-248-9600.
Have a Chimney Inspected Before You Buy or Sell a Home
The Chimney Care Company has frequently told you how important it is to have your chimney professionally inspected annually to guarantee that your fireplace and chimney system operates correctly and safely. The average annual chimney inspection is generally the most basic Level 1 inspection, but if you are buying or selling a home, you should let us know this information when you schedule your appointment so that we can prepare to provide you with the more detailed Level 2 inspection. This level of inspection is also known as a real estate chimney inspection and will give more in-depth information about the fireplace and chimney system to assure everyone that everything functions properly. The chimney sweeps employed by our company are all certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), and this means they have been trained to perform the three different levels of inspections that were established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in its code NFPA 211, the Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances. Our sweeps can thoroughly examine the condition of your chimney no matter which level of inspection it needs.
Can you explain the differences between Level 1 and Level 2 chimney inspections?
During a Level 1 chimney inspection from The Chimney Care Company, our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps examine all of the accessible parts of your chimney system, including the firebox, the flue, the chimney cap, and the chimney crown. To ensure nothing is causing the chimney system to function unsafely or inefficiently, our chimney sweeps look out for any problems, including cracks and gaps in the masonry and the liner, blockages of the flue, accumulations of creosote deposits, and rusting and corrosion. Everything involved in a Level 1 chimney inspection is also part of a Level 2 real estate chimney inspection. This level of inspection also includes an examination of the attic, basement, and crawl space. Our chimney sweeps will also address all proper clearances from combustible materials in a Level 2 chimney inspection.
Why would I need a Level 3 chimney inspection?
Whenever our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps find a possibly hazardous problem that needs a deeper inspection, a Level 3 chimney inspection will be recommended. In a Level 3, our sweeps will need to take a closer look at the less accessible areas of your chimney, and this may require us removing doors, drywall, and even parts of the chimney itself and using specialized tools and equipment. We understand that a Level 3 chimney inspection sounds destructive, but we want you to remember that safety is our top priority. You do not want to buy a home with an unsafe fireplace and chimney system. In order to resolve safety issues and hazardous situations, a Level 3 chimney inspection is necessary.
Are you buying or selling a home? Contact The Chimney Care Company to schedule an appointment for a Level 2 chimney inspection.